If you have any Concerns about the above development site then please
read on.

At about 9.00 pm on 18 October 2004 I visited this site to discover that
no work has taken place to repair, install or maintain what little sediment
control at this development. This is even though BCC Standards state this
must happen.(5.1.20) Brisbane registered about 42 mm of rain during previous
24 hours.

Brisbane City Council reference no R586519 18 Oct 04 re (5.1.20)

The first visit to site by BCC officer re my first complaint (R583445) was
Saturday 9 October 2004 that is 2 days later.

Since that time several BCC employee have visited and taken photos yet this
site is still an environmental nightmare.

I have also spoken to at least three BCC officers who have phoned me or
I have made contact with them.

I also made contact with the on site project manager the next day (8 Oct)
after I took the first photos and suggested that several items needed his
attention.

The building site is only a few hundred metres from Bulimba Creek.

So much for the Brisbane City Council's Erosion and Sediment Control Standard.
Section 5.1.20 is not complied with nor enforced.

So much for the on the spot infringement fines that can be issued for non-compliance.
So much for this developer who is in non-compliance with several different
Queensland laws.

There is no builder's sign on the site nor the builders registration number
displayed. Builders Services Authority breach.

There were no safety barricades around the gully pits when I first inspected.
No WPH&S signs Workplace Health and Safety Act.

There were and still are not any sediment and erosion fence around the building
site. Environment Protection Act, EPP Water.

NO fencing around the work site to keep out children etc and to protect
the development from visitors not wearing appropriate safety equipment.
WPH & S Act

These breaches are all visible from the footpath. Just how many more there
are is anybody guess. Maybe some trained inspectors would find twice or
three times as many once on site.

It is now the time for the Queensland Government (The SMART STATE) to take
action to massively increase the penalties for errant developers as the
one responsible for the above Development. Apparently $300.00 fines are
no worse that a pin prick to the budget.

Our Group now calls upon each reader of this e-mail to respond as to the
action that they are willing to take to address this development site and
to increase penalties to better encourage developers to protect our waterways.

Please feel free to distribute this e-mail to other concerned colleagues.
Feel free to send your e-mails of concerns to those who have the ability
to make a difference.

However I would expect responses and undertakings from the Premier, Minister
for Environment, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Primary Industries,
Minister for Natural Resources, and the Lord Mayor.

Then a few day letter this Press Release from the Minister for the Environment.

Environment, Local Government, Planning & Women, Desley Boyle

20/10/04

Protecting Moreton Bay and South East Queensland's water quality

The Queensland Government has identified Moreton Bay and the waters of
South East Queensland from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast as an area
of special significance in its drive to improve the health of Queensland
waterways.

Environment Minister Desley Boyle said the waters of South East Queensland
were a defining characteristic for the region with outstanding heritage,
economic and social values.

Ms Boyle said Moreton Bay was a wetland of international significance.

"Where else in the world can you have a city of 2.7million people
and 45 minutes away, dugongs, turtles and a reef? But that close proximity
requires careful and sensible management.

"Many years of urban and agricultural development has seen mud and
chemicals flowing into our waterways, reducing their health," Ms Boyle
said.

"Moreton Bay and other waterways in South East Queensland are no exception.
Letting these waters continue to deteriorate would have major economic and
social implications for the region's economy."

Ms Boyle said the State Government was embarking on a major initiative
aimed at finding the best ways to protect Queensland's priceless water environments
- and every Queenslander had the chance to be involved.

Today the Minister released an information package to provide the basis
for extensive consultation on water quality guidelines as well as a particular
focus on the environmental values and water quality objectives of three
of Queensland's unique water environments.

Ms Boyle said Queenslanders could make written submissions or attend a
series of community meetings across the State during November which give
people the chance to have their say on protecting waterways.

The meetings will look specifically at waterways in three regions - Douglas
Shire in Far North Queensland; the Great Sandy Strait and the Mary River
Basin in Wide Bay; and waterways from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast,
including Moreton Bay.

"We also want feedback from the community on the draft Queensland
Water Quality Guidelines 2004 which look at broader, State-wide water quality
targets," Ms Boyle said.

"The water quality guidelines will help set Queensland-wide water
quality targets that are necessary to protect the various uses of our waterways,
such as recreation, sustaining aquatic life or agriculture or supplying
drinking water.

"Queensland's waterways - our rivers, estuaries and coastal waters-
are among the State's most valuable assets."

"We want people to tell us how they use their waterways, what affects
water quality and how we can best reduce or limit the degradation of Queensland's
precious water resources.

"The involvement of all sectors of the community is essential to reach
outcomes that balance the social, economic and environmental concerns of
Queenslanders," Ms Boyle said.

"Our marine life requires healthy water. Seventy-five per cent of
our seafood lives part of its life in a creek or estuary or in waters that
receive fresh water flow. That's our prawns, our crabs, barramundi and salmon.

Ms Boyle said a number of consultation meetings would be held in South-East
Queensland. These meetings would focus on the Noosa, Maroochy, Caboolture,
Pine, Brisbane, Bremer, Logan Albert, Broadwater and Gold Coast waterways,
Pumicestone Passage and Moreton Bay.

The community's views will be combined with EPA data to develop specific
regional targets to protect water quality.

"I urge everyone who loves South East Queensland wonderful waterways
to participate in this important project," Ms Boyle said.

Information reports and draft guidelines are available from the EPA's web
site at www.epa.qld.gov.au or phone 1800 177 291.

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